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The Legendary Etta Leaves Us At the Age of 73...
Etta James: January 25th, 1938 - January 20th 2012
Another Sad Loss...Creighton Holley Passes
Creighton Holley 1946 - 2012 Rest in Peace Old Friend.
Hubert Sumlin Dies of Heart Failure at the Age of 80
Blues Legend Hubert Sumlin
Written by Kenneth Partridge:
Hubert Sumlin, the influential blues guitarist who made his name as a sideman for Howlin' Wolf and recently ranked 43rd on Rolling Stone's list of history's top 100 axmen, died Sunday (Dec. 4) of heart failure. He was 80.
Born in Greenwood, Miss., Sumlin backed singer James Cotton in Memphis before relocating to Chicago in 1953. There, he joined forces with Howlin' Wolf, forging a partnership that would last until the legendary bluesman's death in 1976.
Along the way, Sumlin played on such enduring Wolf tracks as 'Smokestack Lightning,' 'Killing Floor' and 'Spoonful.' The latter two cuts were famously covered by Jimi Hendrix and Cream, respectively, two of the many rock acts to draw inspiration from his fiery fretwork.
Jimmy Page was also an avowed fan, as was Stevie Ray Vaughan, who once gave Sumlin a vintage Rickenbacker guitar. According to the New York Times, Keith Richards helped him pay medical bills, which were likely considerable, since he had a lung removed in 2004.
Sumlin continued performing until the end of his life, and last year, he and relative newcomer Kenny Wayne Shepherd earned a Grammy nomination for their 'Live! in Chicago' album. They didn't win, and Sumlin sadly went 0-for-4 at the Grammys in his lifetime.
Despite his lack of gramophone statuettes, Sumlin clearly left his mark. In a thoughtful tribute piece for the Chicago Sun-Times, Dave Hoekstra makes the case for his lasting importance.
"The 1953 summit of Mr. Sumlin and Wolf was to blues what the meeting of Scotty Moore and Elvis Presley was to rock just a year later," Hoekstra wrote
Colorado Blues Artist John-Alex Mason Passes at the Age of 35
John-Alex Mason Passes on Wednesday October 19th, 2011
It is with great sorrow that I must announce the passing of an old friend and a great musician John-Alex Mason. The devastation of his unexpected death is too much for me to put into words. John was a beautiful person and an artist with a bright future. He played a vital role in putting Colorado Blues on the map and will be dearly missed. I am so sorry for his family and for all of us who loved him. (Full Story)
Muddy Waters Side Man Mojo Buford Passes at 81
Mojo Buford 1930 - 2011
Delta Original Mr. David "Honeyboy" Edwards Passes Away at Age 96
David Honeyboy Edwards Passes at 96.
Written by Bob Corritore:
RIP Honeyboy Edwards - June 28, 1915 to August 29, 2011. The legendary Delta blues artist Honeyboy Edwards passed away peacefully at his Chicago home at 3am this morning. He was 96. Honeyboy had formally retired earlier this year, due to a weakened state of health that did not allow him to tour. He is well known as a pioneer of Delta Blues, who made pre-WWII recordings. Honeyboy was a close associate of Robert Johnson, and the man who traveled from the south to bring Little Walter to Chicago for the first time. Born in Shaw, Mississippi in 1915, Honeyboy left home at age 14 to travel and perform with Big Joe Williams, which became the early model of his life's activities. Honeyboy's wonderful recording career started in 1942 when famed folklorist Alan Lomax recorded him in Clarksdale Mississippi for the Library of Congress. His prolific recording career boasts of releases for many labels over many years; ARC, Sun Records, Chess, Folkways, Trix, Testament, Evidence,Roots, Blue Suit, Blue Horizon, Genes, Blue Shoe, APO, Wolf, and of course the Earwig Record Label. He has received 2 Grammy Awards, 2 BMAs (Blues Music Awards), has been inducted in the Blues Hall Of Fame, received a fellowship fromThe National Endowment for the Arts, and won aKBA(Keeping The Blues Alive Award) in the literature category for his brilliant biography The World Don't Owe Me Nothing. His performances and recollections have provided us a window into the past. One must mention Honeyboy's long association with Earwig Music label chief Michael Frank. The two met in 1972 and Michael would grow into the role of Honeyboy's manager, harmonica player, and traveling companion. Michael has done so much to guide Honeyboy's career, and we pray for his strength during this time of grieving. Visitation will be 2 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept 1, at theMcCullough Funeral Home, 851 E.75th Street, Chicago, IL 60619. There will be an open mike between 7 and 9pm for remembrances from friends and fans. A friends-and-fans gathering will begin at 8 p.m. at Lee’s Unleaded Blues, 7401 S. Chicago Ave. Services will be private on Friday. In lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations be made to the National Blues Museum. Honeyboy's charm, wit and musical brilliance will leave a gap in the blues, never to be filled. The deep blues emotion that poured out of Honeyboy Edwards in each performance has left a lasting impression on the blues world. Thank you Honeyboy for the blessing of knowing you.
Blues Legend Pinetop Perkins Passes at the Age of 97
Pine Top Perkins (July 7, 1913 – March 21, 2011)
Courtesy of Bob Corritore:
RIP Pinetop Perkins July 7, 1915 to March 21, 2011.Nobody can live forever, but for a period of time in his long life of 97 years, the legendary Pinetop Perkinsmade us think it was possible. It is with tears that we say goodbye to one of the most loved and highly respected blues musicians of our time. Pinetop Perkins died today of heart failure at his home in Austin, Texas. We know that Pinetop led a rich and happy life, and that he understood the simple pleasures, which he enjoyed everyday. Pinetop Perkins was born in Belzoni, Mississippi. He began his career as a guitarist, but then injured the tendons in his left arm in a fight with a choir-girl in Helena, Arkansas. Unable to play guitar, Pinetop switched to the piano. He got his moniker from playing the popular "Pinetop's Boogie Woogie", a 1928 hit by pianist Pinetop Smith.Pinetop accompanied Sonny Boy Williamson II on the Helena based radio programKing Biscuit Time on KFFA.He worked with Robert Nighthawk, accompanying him on the 1950 Aristocrat recording of "Jackson Town Gal". In the 1950s, Perkins joined Earl Hooker's band and began touring, stopping to record "Pinetop's Boogie Woogie" at Sam Phillips' studio in Memphis, Tennessee. Pinetop was a major influence on the young Ike Turner, whom he taught piano. Pinetop joined the Muddy Waters Band in 1969, replacing Otis Spann, and playing in the band for over a decade. It is from his time with Muddy that Pinetop became a well known name in the blues. Pinetop would leave Muddy's band with other band members to form The Legendary Blues Band before restarting his solo career. Along the way, Pinetop was helped by the confident direction provided by manager Patricia Morgan, who was a tireless and diplomatic advocate. Pinetop won three Grammy Awards, and so many Handy Awards that he gracefully took himself out of the running by changing the piano category award to his namesake. Though he rose to the highest of stature, Pinetop was always very accessible and appeared on numerous albums, and projects. He remained active, healthy and happy until the end, even with a daily habit of cigarettes, and McDonald's (double mac with cheese, medium sprite, and an apple pie). He spent his 97th birthday flying to Spain to play a blues festival, and this year he won his third Grammy for "Best Traditional Blues album" for Joined At The Hip, his collaboration with Willie "Big Eyes" Smith on the Telarc label. We should also mention Barry Nowlin, Michael Freeman, Bob Margolin, Hugh Southard of Blue Mountain Artists, Onnie Heaney, Little Frank Krakowski, Bob Stroger, Diunna Greenleaf, and Pete Carlson for their support roles in Pinetop's life. We will miss Pinetop's distinctive voice and his elegant, interactive piano style. He has touched all of us with his charm, his talent, and his loving approach to life. Though we hate to say goodbye, we have to be thankful for the great joy that he brought us. God bless you Pinetop. To see some great photos of Pinetop Perkins click here, and here
Robin Rogers Passes at Age 55
Robin Rogers
From Blind Pig Records:
It is with great sadness thatBlind Pig Records announces the passing of singer Robin Rogers at the age of 55. She died at her home December 17 in Gastonia, North Carolina, where she was being cared for by her husband and musical partner, Tony.
In August the talented singer and harmonica player was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer. Like most musicians Robin and Tony were without health insurance and depended on touring for their income. For years Robin was always ready to donate her time and performances to a good cause. so it was not surprising that there was an immediate outpouring of love and support from the blues community and her many fans. Benefits and fundraisers were held around the country to raise money for medical bills and living expenses.
Rogers was deeply moved by the support, and was also buoyed by the success and critical acclaim for her new CD, Back In The Fire, which debuted at #3 on the Billboard Blues sales chart, where it remains in the top ten.
Blind Pig owner Jerry Del Giudice said, "Robin always struck me as someone who felt she didn't have a moment to spare. She was constantly in motion. I became aware that her artistry and her integrity were two things she would not compromise and how genuinely she cared about others in need. She was diagnosed with terminal cancer shortly before the release of Back In The Fire. She told me that although she didn't want to carry this burden, it was hers to carry and she would do the very best she could with every moment she had left. I read a Russian proverb sometime ago that goes something like this: When you are born you cry while everyone around you laughs. If you lead a good life, when you die you laugh while everyone around you cries. I'm sure she's having a well deserved laugh. As we cry we have to remember what a wonderful laugh that was and how sorely it will be missed."
Rogers, winner of the 2009 "Best Female Artist" Blues Blast Award, was announced just this week as a nominee for a Blues Music Award for "Contemporary Blues Female Artist" by the Blues Foundation. And just last weekend Robin was featured on National Public Radio's "Weekend Edition Saturday," where she told host Scott Simon that despite battling cancer and theeffects of chemotherapy, she felt "blessed." To listen to the full interview, click HERE.
Rest in peace, Robin.
The Legendary Solomon Burke Passes Away at age 70
Solomon Burke
Victoria Fitzgerald
Soul singer and writer of "Everybody Needs Somebody To Love," Solomon Burke, has died at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport aged 70, The Associated Press has reported.
Robert van Kapel, a representative for Schiphol Airport, confirmed the death of the artist on Sunday and has directed additional questions to the singer’s management.
NOS, Dutch national broadcaster, announced that the Grammy Award winner passed away on an aircraft from Los Angeles early on Sunday morning. Details concerning the cause of death are yet to be released.
The singer, who was a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a former preacher, had traveled to Amsterdam to play a gig at a renowned club on Tuesday.
The star signed to the same record label as Ray Charles in the 1960s and was once described by Jerry Wexler, producer for Atlantic Records, as "the best soul singer of all time." He is survived by 21 children and 90 grandchildren.
Press Release Kai Turner, the host of "Strictly Blues," has been named the recipient of the 2009 Keeping the Blues Alive Award (Commercial Radio) from the Blues Foundation, which also produces the Blues Music Awards, the Blues Hall of Fame Induction, and the International Blues Challenge. A panel of blues professionals select a recipient each year from those who work behind the scenes to make significant contributions that keep the rich history of this uniquely American music at the forefront of American culture. The award will be presented Saturday February 7that the Downtown Doubletree Hotel in Memphis Tenn., during the 25th International Blues Challenge, the world's largest gathering of blues bands, as well as seminars, presentations, and receptions for blues societies, fans and professionals. Besides broadcasting the blues in Colorado for more than 17 years, Turner, known as "The Blues Vassal," has acted as its "happy and humble servant" by developing an infrastructure for local and national artists to thrive. Turner encourages venues and promoters to include blues music in their events and his show on one of the country's top classic rock stations provides access to tremendous reach with well-crafted play lists and effective cross-promotion to foster support of blues music throughout the region. In 2000 "Strictly Blues" was chosen as the best blues show in Denver, and in 2004 Turner was chosen the city's top radio personality. Turner was born in Kingston, Jamaica, and lived in several countries as a child before his family settled just outside of Chicago, where he first heard the blues when he was 12 or 13 years old. By the time Turner was 15 he was herding family and friends to the annual Blues Festival in Grant Park. Soon after he could drive, he was finding his way into the city's blues clubs to meet the artists in person. "I always figured I'd grow out of it, but the more I heard it the more I continued to love it," Turner said. "After realizing that I have no musical talent, I focused on being a good listener instead." Turner moved west to attend college in Fort Collins in 1989. "I had a hard time finding blues," he recalled. "This led me to the campus radio station where I demanded that they play more on their station." They asked him to play the blues and share his knowledge on-air. "I stayed as long as I could, but after running out of classes to take they gave me a degree and told me to leave," he said. Turner then turned an invitation for a tour of the facilities at KRFX into a job as the blues deejay, where the show is still going strong after 13 years. For more information about the Blues Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, visit http://www.blues.org/.
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